Wendy Damman-Bednar and Alexis Simmons on Democratic primary ballot for House District 58

Voters will have two choices in the Aug. 6 Democratic primary for House District 58.

Wendy Damman-Bednar and Alexis Simmons are both running for the House seat, which represents portions of central and East Topeka. The winner is set to face Republican Michael Mathewson in the Nov. 5 general election.

The Capital-Journal posed the same questions to each candidate. Answers were lightly edited for formatting.

What background information would you like voters to know about you?

Damman-Bednar : "My name is Wendy Damman-Bednar and I’m running for HD58, because I’m a woman, a mother, a veteran and a deeply concerned Kansan. I grew up on a family farm in Williamsburg, KS. I graduated high school in 95 and joined the Army to see the world. I've both served and was married to a serviceman for a total of 24 yrs. with the Army community. Through my travels with the service, I have had the opportunity to live and work in many states and with countless organizations. I’ve worked in nearly every facet from working for elected officials, to campaigns, to Policy and advocacy. I’ve got both a Bachelor’s & a Masters in Poli Sci focusing on Public Policy and Public Administration. If I’m elected this district will have a representative that will make the voices of my constituents heard every day we are in session…in committee, on the floor, and in the press. It is time to make progress on the issues the residents of HD 58 want passed."

Simmons : "Growing up, my parents owned a small flower shop where I learned the value of hard work, patience, and perseverance. I have seven siblings and come from a blended family.

"As my interest in politics grew, I learned a lot from my great uncle (former Attorney General Bob Stephan) and my grandmother, Lynn Stephan (co-founder of Women for Kansas). Through their guidance and support I landed at Washburn University, where I studied political science. I was elected student body president and now I am an adjunct professor at the school.

"After graduation, I moved to Washington, D.C. for my MA in American government from American University. While in D.C., I helped train women to run for office and briefly worked in corporate consulting where I helped Fortune 500 companies adopt forward-thinking policies. I moved home when the opportunity arose and I have served as the Communications Director for the Kansas House Democrats since 2021."

What is your motivation for running to represent this district?

Damman-Bednar : "I have spent the last 20 years working towards that more perfect union we all aspire to, which is why I cannot continue to watch the supermajority under the dome put off the problems faced by Kansans any further. If we are to protect reproductive freedoms, expand Medicaid, fully fund public education, protect the LGBTQ+ community, reduce property taxes, update our cyber infrastructure and find ways to make Kansas more attractive for Kansans who want to stay and for those who would want to move here. I want to put my experience to work for Kansas."

Simmons : "I attended school in a district that was deemed constitutionally underfunded in the Gannon v. Kansas school finance case. We didn't have enough desks in our classrooms, classes had 35 or 40 kids, our technology was behind, and on occasion, our textbooks were quite literally so old that the information was outdated and irrelevant.

"However, 20 minutes up the road in a different district, the students had access to new chemistry labs, school trips, small class sizes, state-of-the-art technology, and more.

"I learned very early on that your ZIP code predetermines a lot about your life, including the quality of education you receive. I'm passionate about equitable access to public education and determined to support Kansas kids and teachers. I look forward to using my lived experiences, professional background, and formal education to advocate for a fairer approach to school finance."

Even after the special session, leaders of both parties say more needs done on property taxes. What should the Legislature do next year on taxes?

Damman-Bednar : "We need a multi-faceted approach to property tax relief. We need to set limitations on tax assessments, such as capping annual increases on residential property taxes and small businesses. We could explore offering tax rebates and lowering the school mil levy. Provide funding to assistance low-income and senior households. This represents one thing though, that was left out of all the glad handing after the special session.

With the income tax reductions of SB 1, the projections show Kansas spending more than revenues at the end of fiscal year 2025, and by the end of fiscal year 2029, we are in deficit spending. While those projections may and can change, we need to be judicious about new targeted property tax cuts, as the Legislature has largely spent it surplus already."

Simmons : "I've knocked over 1,000 doors in this district and had hundreds of conversations with voters. A pattern quickly emerged: People need — not just want, but truly need — property tax relief. The most a homeowner can expect to save from the most recent package is $76, and that's not enough.

"I will also encourage additional action on child care affordability, which may come in the form of tax credits."

What do you think is the appropriate role of the Legislature on abortion policy following the Value Them Both vote?

Damman-Bednar : "I think the Legislature needs to honor the voices of Kansans who came out to give a resounding "NO" on the "Value Them Both" issue. The Kansas Supreme Court has also recently reaffirmed the constitutional right to bodily autonomy. The Legislature needs to stop substituting its ideological positions for those of the voters, who want the government to stay out of this deeply personal process."

Simmons : "This past session, a Republican legislator spoke during a debate on women's fertility and reproductive ability. He cited his "PhD in Reproductive Health" to justify his position, which I later learned is a degree focused on bovine health — as in, cows. Women are not cows and we should not need to remind legislators of that fact.

"I was already staunchly opposed to legislators cosplaying as medical doctors, but his speech cemented my position. It is simple: The government needs to stay out of doctor-patient relationships.

"After Roe v. Wade was overturned, I planned a protest outside of the statehouse. I was also an avid volunteer with the Vote No campaign leading up to the August 2, 2022 anti-abortion vote, and have continued urging Kansans to vote out anti-abortion legislators. I'm proud to be working with EMILY's List in my campaign, one of the largest pro-choice organizations in the country."

Do you support Medicaid expansion, and if so, what will you do to advocate for it?

Damman-Bednar : "Absolutely, expansion would have provided over $5 billion that could have been used to provide health insurance to hard working Kansans that are in the ACA gap or not provided employer-based coverage. This would lower healthcare costs for all Kansans by reducing non-pay emergency services, shore up our struggling rural and urban healthcare systems, and provide for better health outcomes for all Kansans."

Simmons : "Yes! I am committed to any policy that lowers health care costs, increases access, and provides for a healthier community. Medicaid expansion, of course, is at the top of this list.

"To achieve this goal, I will seize every opportunity to support Medicaid expansion - by amendment or bill introduction."

What other issue(s) are top priorities for you?

Damman-Bednar : "Medicaid Expansion, Cannabis Legislation, and Special Education funding."

Simmons : "In no particular order, my top priorities are protecting reproductive freedoms, Medicaid expansion, affordable housing (including property tax relief), funding public education (and special education), supporting state employees, and legalizing cannabis."

How will you personally work toward bringing down the escalation of violent political rhetoric?

Damman-Bednar : "I am a practitioner of the Dhamma, or path to liberation for which the Buddha was a spokesman. I won’t be participating in or condoning violent political rhetoric. However, my party is not the party inciting violence. What I know to be true about violence is that when you encourage it, it will find you. With that being said, May peace be upon you and your house."

Simmons : "I will lead by example, first and foremost. There is no need to employ violent rhetoric — or support it from others."

Do you have any endorsements you want to highlight?

Damman-Bednar : No response.

Simmons : "I have been endorsed by three of the 58th district's previous representatives: Former Senate Democratic Leader Anthony Hensley, State Board of Education Member Ann Mah, and the district's current representative, House Democratic Leader Vic Miller.

"I am also the KNEA recommended candidate, a Moms Demand Action Gun Sense candidate, and am working with EMILY's List.

"Additionally, I have endorsements from the Cannabis Justice Coalition, Kansas Young Democrats, and I am recognized by Mental Health Now for my commitment to mental health policy. Run For Something, a group committed to promoting progressive leadership, has also endorsed my race."

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This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Wendy Damman-Bednar and Alexis Simmons on Democratic primary ballot for House District 58